Granted, it's on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, so that shows you how much the league thinks of him right now, but it's a nice no-risk deal that could let Durazo show he can still hit (if he can, in fact, still hit). I have high hopes for this deal to result in a productive backup DH / 1B and lefty pinch-hitter for Mark Ellis, Bobby Kielty, and (during the inevitable Bobby Crosby injury) Marco Scutaro.

The best part? The story at ESPN.com reports that the A's confirmed the signing by text message. Really? Billy texts with reporters these days?